Questions tagged [pyrotechnic-fasteners]

explosive bolts, frangible nuts, pyrotechnic cable cutters and the like are reliable ways to convert an electrical signal to an irreversible and substantial mechanical release of something, separating parts or allowing a spring-driven device or cutter to actuate by triggering a small explosion. For other questions about explosives use the [explosives] tag.

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Electronic Circuits for Safe Initiation of Pyrotechnics?

Pyrotechnic charges are initiated using e.g. the NASA Standard Detonator or the NASA Standard Initiator. I don't know the exact specs, but I assume that these will be driven with a few amps in the kV ...
latlon's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
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Why is Apollo CSM and LM separated by pyrotechnics?

The docking tunnel of the Apollo CSM is cut by pyrotechnics when the LM is jettisoned. (See Fig. 2.13-11 in Apollo Operation Handbook, Fig. 19 in Apollo Spacecraft Pyrotechnics) After this, docking ...
Mys_721tx's user avatar
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3 answers
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Reliability of explosive bolts and redundant initiators

Explosive bolts are often used for stage and payload separation. If only one of the many explosive bolts used fails to break into two pieces, the payload of the rocket may be lost. Are there more than ...
Uwe's user avatar
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8 votes
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What are the disadvantages of pneumatic stage separation systems?

What are the disadvantages of pneumatic stage separation systems over systems like linear charges, frangible joints etc?
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How was Enterprise held/released from the carrier 747 for the Shuttle approach and landing tests?

Related to my other question: What are the benefits of using pyrotechnics on spacecraft? When the Space Shuttle was first flight tested (Enterprise approach and landing tests) it was released from a ...
Anthony X's user avatar
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8 votes
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What are the benefits of using pyrotechnics on spacecraft?

NASA always appears to use pyrotechnic devices (NASA standard initiators for explosive bolts, frangible nuts, etc.) to release elements (spent stages, fairings, etc.) where SpaceX appears to be using ...
Anthony X's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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Which explode in spaceflight more often, nuts or bolts?

The history of spaceflight is littered with exists because of exploded nuts and bolts (and upon further reflection, a whole lot of other items!) "Exploding bolts" is really a generic term. ...
uhoh's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Premature detonation of explosive bolts when landing on hot Venus?

@Uwe's comment below Parachute material used for the Venera probes to survive 500 °C raises an interesting issue. Venus is really hot, and pyrotechnic actuators (e.g. explosive bolts, frangible ...
uhoh's user avatar
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4 votes
0 answers
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What is the difference between these various spacecraft pyrotechnics?

The following terms have been used in various Space Exploration StackExchange questions and answers. What are the differences (if any) between these various terms? detonating cord detonating fuse (...
DrSheldon's user avatar
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2 votes
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First instance of a frangible nut in space? Which space-nut was first successfully "franged"?

Wikipedia's Frangible nut begins: Not to be confused with Explosive bolt. The frangible nut is a component used in many industries, but most commonly by NASA[citation needed], to sever mechanical ...
uhoh's user avatar
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